Friday, October 25, 2013

Uganda is among the 10 destinations that are on course to turn into popular tourists’ destinations in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to a World Bank report. The Tourism in Africa: Harnessing Tourism for Growth and Improved Livelihoods report indicates that Uganda together with Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Senegal, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the Seychelles are scaling up tourism and emerging as a tourism destination.

According to Tourism Update the report, titled Tourism in Africa: Harnessing Tourism for Growth and Improved Livelihoods, stated Sub Saharan Africa’s tourism industry was set to drive economic growth on the continent and directly employ 6.7 million people by 2021.

Tourism is one of the largest and fastest growing sectors of the world economy, and tourism in Africa is ripe for development, the report notes.

For example, the number of tourists arriving in SSA has grown over 300% since 1990, with 2012 marking a high of 33.8 million tourists who visited the region.

Income generated from tourism has also climbed: Receipts from hotels, tours and other attractions in 2012 amounted to over US$36bn and directly contributed just over 2.8% to the region’s GDP, according to the report.

The report said these countries had simplified their tourism policies, liberalised air transport and diversified tourism while protecting their communities and environments, which created a positive investment climate for tourism development.

The World Bank has urged SSA governments to form alliances with the private sector-and the private sector to partner with government at local, regional and national levels.

Together they can plan and develop tourism infrastructure, increase transparency in land ownership and create a business-friendly environment for tour operators and other companies. When sustainably managed, tourism fuels economic transformation, accelerates reform, triggers infrastructure improvements, and empowers women and minorities in countries throughout Africa.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

MURCHISON FALLS FERRY GROUNDED

The Murchison Falls Ferry is undergoing repairs to enhance Visitor safety. It was grounded on the 22nd October in order to install New ferry Pontoons. The ferry is expected to resume its routes on the 1st of November 2013. Tour Operators are advised to use the Karuma route for activities on the Northern Bank . According to UWA, the contractor has been briefed to expedite the works so that it doesn't interfere with the preparations for the eclipse events.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK has made the cut of seven from the continent shortlisted for the 2013 World Travel Awards. The accolade follows last year’s British Guild of Travel Writers’ Global Award that the park received for its effort to harmonize tourism, wildlife and the agricultural community in one of Africa’s last surviving rainforests.

Nyungwe has been nominated alongside with Kalahari Game Reserve (Botswana), Etosha National Park (Namibia), Kruger National Park (South Africa), Masai Mara National Reserve (Kenya), Serengeti National Park (Tanzania), and Kidepo Valley National Park in Uganda.

Speaking to us yesterday, Clare Akamazi, the acting Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Development Board, expressed optimism that Nyungwe would win the prestigious International Award.“It’s not the first time Nyungwe is recognized for its rich biodiversity; last year the park work the British Guild of Travel Writers’ Globe Award. It’s because the park focuses on conserving the environment and at the same time promoting tourism,” she said.

“Nyungwe Nziza” (beautiful Nyungwe) Project was created to strengthen sustainable eco-tourism in and around Nyungwe National Park.

The rainforest national park is one of the world’s richest and most diverse ecosystems and home to 25% of all Africa’s primates and is home to a quarter of Africa’s species of primates, 300 species of birds, and constitutes one of the oldest and rarest high altitude habitats in the central and eastern Africa.

The Awards

The World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across sectors of the tourism industry.
The winners are voted by individual professionals and consumers worldwide. According to the World Travel Awards website, last year’s winners were voted by peoples from over 170 countries.Each year, World Travel Awards cover the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to celebrate individual and collective success with each key geographical region.
All regional winners then compete in a final round of voting to decide who walks away with the ultimate accolade in the tourism and travel industry.

The continental ceremonies will take place in Nairobi October 16, while the grand finale is set for November 30, in Doha Qatar.

Last year Rwanda’s tourism industry generated $281m compared to $251M in the previous year, an increase of 17 per cent, according to the Rwanda Development Board.